Queensland councils have taken hold of the reins on the state’s infrastructure and engineering advisory service.

Local Government Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd (LGIS) provides are range of logistical, financial, economic, technical and other knowledge to local councils for the planning of major works.

This week, the Queensland Treasury Corporation has said it will give up its 50 per cent stake in the joint venture, handing full control to the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).

The handover is seen as a strong sign of local government autonomy and control over the needs and requirements of large-scale infrastructure works in Queensland.

The general idea behind the LGIS comes from a UK model, which consolidates the avenues for councils to obtain procurement advice, tender administration, project and program management support and advice.

The LGIS and various local councils were forced to take a step up in the planning and completion of infrastructure projects, after widespread damage by floods and cyclones in recent years.

LGIS was seen as integral in allowing communities to access the considerable disaster relief funding available under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

The increased focus on infrastructure projects specifically has reportedly been part of the motivation for QTC to hand over its share. The engineering efforts of the group are beginning to move beyond the purview of the state Treasury.

LGAQ will maintain the technical services agreement based on the QTC’s modelling, meaning the Treasury will still have a role to play.

LGIS has been commended for assisting nineteen Queensland councils to successfully obtain over $1 billion in funding, allowing them to bounce back from the cost of disastrous cyclone and flooding events since 2010.